Study Shows Being Out Is Better For Your Mental Welfare
Hey there, dear readers!
Today, I wanted to shed some light on an important topic that’s close to many of our hearts: the mental well-being of the LGBTQ community in Singapore. This is going to be a quick summary of this paper that was just published in 2022 after researchers analysed the data from the National LGBT Census Singapore 2013 (NLCS2013). You can download the full article for free here.
The Backstory
While there’s been a lot of talk about health disparities affecting the LGBTQ community worldwide, when it comes to Singapore, we’ve been somewhat in the dark. That’s why a group of researchers decided to dive deep and conduct the National LGBT Census Singapore 2013 (NLCS2013). This survey was all about understanding the mental health and overall well-being of our local LGBTQ community.
The Findings
Brace yourselves, because the results were quite eye-opening! A whopping 40.9% of the 2,350 respondents reported feelings that suggest they might not be in the best mental space. And what corresponds with these respondents low mental well-being is another factor close to all of our hearts – being closeted.
Being "Out" and Proud
Here’s a thought-provoking finding from the study: those who were open about their LGBTQ identity, whether it was with friends, family, or colleagues, generally felt better mentally. In fact, they were two times LESS likely than their closeted peers to report a low mental health state. It seems that being “out” and not hiding one’s true self can be a real boost to our mental well-being. It’s a testament to the power of authenticity and the importance of supportive environments. And here at COA we believe in helping others find that authenticity in their lives to enjoy the positive benefits of it. Here’s as good a place as any to remind you of our full-day workshop on coming out/inviting in, which you can sign up for here.
The Silver Lining
But here’s the silver lining: being active in the LGBTQ community, attending events, or joining organizations seemed to act like a protective shield against these mental health challenges, as those who were involved in such activities showed less likelihood of having low WHO-5 scores.
Online vs. In-Person Connections
Now, here’s something interesting for our digital age. While online LGBTQ platforms are great, those who only connected online seemed to have a tougher time mentally compared to those who also engaged in real-life, face-to-face community events. Clearly human connections in physical space are still required by our human brains – so go out and join some LGBT community groups, activities or volunteer! A good place to start is Out in SG on Facebook.
Wrapping Up
The NLCS2013 has given us a rare glimpse into the lives of Singapore’s LGBTQ community. It’s a reminder that while we’ve come a long way, there’s still much to be done. In the meantime, stay strong, stay connected, and be proud!